Arcadia Spain

On the night of June 23rd, Catalan towns and villages celebrate the Feast of Sant Joan (St. John's or Midsummer's Eve) and welcome the summer. It is the shortest night of the year, shrouded in magic, symbols and legends.  Sant Joan is a night to discover!

It is one of the most popular festivals in the Catalan countries. Fire, music, dance and cake are the protagonists. In Barcelona, ​​a lot of organizations organize popular feasts on the streets and squares, with orchestras, dancing and in some cases, with bonfires!

Which are the symbols of Sant Joan?

*Fire

It is the purifying element which liberates us from misfortune, so, on the night of Sant Joan in every neighborhood is a tradition to made a bonfire and feed it by throwing old furniture onto it also the brave ones jump across!

*Flame of Canigó

The Canigó Mountain is the symbol of the Catalan lands, in the Pyrenees. Every year between the 22nd and the 23rd of June, a bonfire is lit on the top and then the flame is transported by volunteers, distributing to many villages, serving to light other fires.

*Water

They say during this night all water has curative powers, so, in some places, it is the custom to bathe in the sea, in some towns you can find concerts at the beach.

*Herbs

It’s a night when plants are believed that to multiply their remedial properties a hundred times and some like thyme rosemary or verbena (photoed below), the herb of Sant Joan, are collected for treatment.

Which are the traditions of Sant Joan?

*Coca de Sant Joan

Can be of different kinds: candied with marzipan, cream or cream and ornamented with pine nuts, lard or candied fruit. It is the traditional meal of the Night of Sant John, when it is distributed between all the family and frineds with sweet or rancid wines; Today, however, these drinks have been changing for cava (catalán champgne)

*Bonfire of San Juan

As we have mentioned, they say that fire ignores evil spirits, purifies, protects and regenerates. During the night of San Juan, the bonfires are lit when the sun is set and they feed it until the night. Attracted by the magnetism of the fire, people gather, sing and dance around ... and the boldest jump over the treads or steam.

*Firecrackers

The firecrackers are closely linked to summer evenings, and especially at night of San Juan. In this celebration, the idea that fire purifies, protects and regenerates predominates. Barcelona has a deeply rooted tradition of lighting bonfires and launching fireworks during that night, when kilos of firecrackers are detonated providing a very characteristic noise and brightness.

How do we celebrate?

The night of Sant Joan not only takes place on the Barceloneta Beach, in other neighbourhoods the party can be of many types, popular dinners, pyrotechnic shows with devils and beasts, orchestras and musical groups!!!